Opening event of the 2022 National Dance House Festival

Concert: Herczku Ágnes: Hozomány – Magyarvista

Followed by dance house

In 2018 folk singer Herczku Ágnes released her recording "Hozomány" Transylvanian folk music now and long ago – from the village of Visa.  It was the first of a series presenting the most beautiful songs collected on her trips to Transylvania over the last fifteen or so years.

This evening's concert presents material from the next album of the series: Hozomány – Magyarvista - which builds on the song repertoire of one Hungarian traditional singer Gergely Jánosné "Erdei” Erzsi from the village of Magyarvista/Vistea in Transylvania’s Kalotaszeg region. “Erdei” Erzsi is an extraordinary traditional singer with a rich repertoire of songs who is also an important member of her community - as Herczku learned from her, a deep relationship developed between them over the years.

The double album includes one CD with authentic material documented many years ago, and a “Revival CD” featuring vocal and instrumental music played by a band of the best folk musicians from Hungary’s revival scene. In addition to “Erdei” Erzsi’s songs, material from the collections of Kallós Zoltán is also presented – tunes learned from famous Kalotaszeg lead fiddlers Ferenc Antal “Árus” (from Méra) and Varga Ferenc “Csipás” (from Bánffyhunyad/Huedin).

This project simultaneously expresses a deep respect for the village master singers and musicians, while at the same time it provides an example of how their music culture can be learned, passed on, and loved.

On her collecting trips Herczku Ágnes was guided mainly by the help and good advice of Transylvanian musicologist Kallós Zoltán. She dedicates the series to his memory.

The record is released by the Fonó, with support from the Hungarian National Cultural Fund (NKA) and the Hungarian Heritage House.

Herczku Ágnes – voice

Nyitrai Marianna – voice

Szél Gábor – voice

Major Levente – violin

Gombai Tamás – violin

Pál István Szalonna – violin

Szász József Árpád – kontra

Mester László „Pintyő” – kontra, viola

Molnár Péter – double bass, cello

Havasréti Pál – cello

Farkas Fanni – dance

Kiss Balázs – dance

Vörös Menyhért – video

Nikola Parov – music director http://tanchaztalalkozo.hu

Fotó: Bácsi Róbert László